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Tejay Antone Worth Rostering in Bullpen Committee?
Cincinnati Reds right-hander Tejay Antone picked up his first save of 2026 on Friday, allowing a hit and an earned run but getting through the ninth inning without blowing the lead in his team's 7-6 win over the Cleveland Guardians. With closer Emilio Pagan (hamstring) on the injured list, Cincinnati has been mixing and matching at the end of games. Right-handers Tony Santillan and Graham Ashcraft have typically been the top high-leverage options in the Reds bullpen. However, Santillan currently owns a 5.50 ERA, and Ashcraft allowed four earned runs without recording an out in the eighth inning against the Guardians on Friday. Antone has thrown just 13 2/3 MLB innings since the start of the 2023 season and has undergone three Tommy John surgeries in his career. Still, he's averaged 96.6 miles per hour on his fastball across five appearances in 2026 and has struck out six batters without allowing a walk. In deeper leagues, Antone could be worth targeting on the waiver wire for fantasy managers.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Tony Santillan Pitches in Seventh Inning on Friday, Falling Out of Closer Committee
Cincinnati Reds right-hander Tony Santillan appeared in the seventh inning of his team's 7-6 win over the Cleveland Guardians on Friday, pitching a scoreless inning with a strikeout. The scoreless inning was a welcome change for Santillan, who had given up eight earned runs across five appearances in May leading into Friday. However, the 29-year-old still owns a 5.50 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP so far this season and appears to have fallen out of the closer mix in Cincinnati as the team looks to replace the injured Emilio Pagan (hamstring). Right-hander Tejay Antone picked up his first save of the season against Cleveland and could be worth a look for fantasy managers on the waiver wire.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Graham Ashcraft a Top Stash Option for Saves?
Cincinnati Reds reliever Graham Ashcraft is an intriguing player to stash in fantasy baseball, as he could be due for more save opportunities going forward. Ashcraft hasn't pitched in a save situation since May 6, and he has just one save situation since April 19. However, the Reds are in desperate need of a dependable closer, and Ashcraft might be the solution. He has a terrific 1.66 ERA and 10.38 K/9 this year, and we can see that he's limiting loud contact with his 0.42 HR/9 and 55.3% ground ball rate. Two areas of concern, though, are walks and leverage opportunities. His walk rate has jumped to a career-worst 5.40 BB/9, and he has just one save to two blown saves. If he can clean up the walks, the saves should come naturally, assuming the Reds do in fact deploy him as their closer going forward. He ranks #33 among relievers in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Graham Ashcraft is Priority Handcuff Closer Stash
Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Graham Ashcraft is likely to be in the mix for the saves going forward. The Reds need a new ninth-inning option after Emilio Pagan (hamstring) went down with an injury. Ashcraft got the first crack at the closer role, but was unable to shut down the Chicago Cubs during Wednesday's game. He pitched in a setup role on Saturday, with Pierce Johnson getting the ball in the final frame. The assumption is that the Reds will stick with a committee approach in the ninth inning while Pagan is out. Ashcraft could be an interesting stash option with him almost certainly getting more chances at the closer role.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
